Polgar downs Timman, takes sole lead

CHENNAI, APRIL 25. World No. 1 in the women's rating list, Judit Polgar of Hungary shot into sole lead defeating Jan Timman of the Netherlands in the third round of the Japfa Classic chess tournament on Monday. The tournament is being played at Bali Beach Hotel in Indonesia.

The two other overnight joint leaders Anatoly Karpov and Alexander Khalifman from Russia were held to draws by lower rated GM Gilberto Milos of Brazil and GM Reuben Gunawan of Indonesia.

Indonesia had a great day with its top star GM Utut Adianto scoring his first victory over Jaan Ehlvest of Estonia in 30 moves with a splendid rook sacrifice. Jan Timman played weakly to lose a knight and the game in 33 moves with the white pieces against Judit Polgar.

Karpov could not make any dent with the white pieces after 48 moves against Milos and took a draw. Zaw Win Lay's poor technique in the rook ending saw his second successive defeat in 56 moves against Yasser Seirawan. Khalifman figured in a 53-move draw from a double-edged game against the lowest rated Gunawan. Six more rounds remain in this $56,500 10-player category 16 tournament, the strongest ever in Asia. The chief arbiter is Djamil Djamal of Indonesia.

lThe results: Third round: U. Adianto (Ina) bt J. Ehlvest (Est); J. Timman (Ned) lost to Judit Polgar (Hun); A. Karpov (Rus) drew with G. Milos (Bra); Zaw Win Lay (Mya) lost to Y. Seirawan (US); A. Khalifman (Rus) drew with R. Gunawan (Ina).

The standings after three rounds: 1 Judit Polgar (Hun) 2.5/3, 2-4 A. Karpov (Rus), A. Khalifman (Rus), Y. Seirawan (US) 2 each, 5-6 U. Adianto (Ina), G. Milos (Bra) 1.5 each, 7-9 J. Ehlvest (Est), R. Gunawan (Ina), J. Timman (Ned) 1 each, 10 Zaw Win Lay (Mya) 0.5.

The moves:

GM J. Timman-GM Judit Polgar, round 3, Queen's Indian defence, E12: 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 b6 3.d4 e6 4.a3 Bb7 5.Nc3 d5 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Qc2 Nxc3 8.bxc3 Be7 9.e4 O-O 10.Bd3 c5 11.O-O Qc8 12.Qe2 Ba6 13.Rd1 cxd4 14.cxd4 Bxd3 15.Qxd3 Qa6 16.Bb2 Qxd3 17.Rxd3 Nd7 18.Rc1 Rfc8 19.Rdc3 Rxc3 20.Rxc3 Nf6 21.Nd2 b5 22.Rc6 Kf8 23.f3 Ke8 24.Nb3 Nd7 25.Kf1 Nb6 26.Nc5 Nc4 27.Bc1 Rd8 28.a4 Rxd4 29.Nb3 Rd3 30.axb5 Ne5 31.Rc8+ Kd7 32.Ra8 Rxb3 33.Rxa7+ Ke8 0-1.

- Our Chess Correspondent

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